Andrew Hastie criticises Basil Zempilas's strategy in Secret Harbour by
Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has publicly criticized WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas over the party's campaign strategy for the upcoming Secret Harbour by-election. Hastie argues the party is failing to fight for votes, while Zempilas maintains his team is working hard despite the rise of One Nation.
Why it matters
The internal rift highlights growing tensions within the Australian Liberal Party and concerns over the electoral threat posed by the One Nation party in outer-metropolitan regions.
Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has criticised WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas over the party's strategy in the Secret Harbour by-election.
The by-election in Perth's south this weekend is widely viewed as One Nation's first test in WA after the party's surge in national polls.
Mr Hastie suggested the Liberals had already waved the white flag , while Mr Zempilas is adamant his team have worked their "backsides off" in the campaign.
Link copied Share Share article Western Australian Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has intensified his criticism of his party's own WA leader, suggesting Basil Zempilas has conceded defeat in this weekend's Secret Harbour by-election before a single vote has been counted.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is in Perth but did not campaign in Secret Harbour, seized on the deepening rift between the Liberals, saying they were "running dead" in Secret Harbour and had basically folded into One Nation.
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